The SME Unit organized two Study Tours to India specially designed for SME bankers from different levels. The study tours took place in India (Mumbai) during the period from June and July, 2011. India was chosen as one of the most developed countries in SME banking as well as its resemblance to the Egyptian market. The Study Tours included visits to various financial institutions and banks as well as governmental entities that support the SME sector in addition to special gatherings with entrepreneurs.

The SME unit launched the third round of the SME certificate which is constituted of five modules for 124 hours, the certificate is followed by a study tour to a developed country in SME banking.

Roundtable Meeting

In July 2011, the second consultative roundtable was conducted in cooperation with the Egyptian Furniture Export Council. The roundtable aimed at identifying financial challenges for supporting access to finance for SMEs in the wood working and furniture sector, and reach appropriate financial tools by building a constructive dialogue between SMEs and the banking sector.

Advisory Services for SME Banking Clients

The facilitation/integration of advisory services offered to the SME Banking client is instrumental to the healthy growth of the SMEs. Several discussions, seminars and conferences highlighted the need and importance of the advisory services as the lack of this service has been often identified as an obstacle to accessing finance. Accordingly, EBI has launched the Advisory Services for SME Banking Clients initiative that was introduced by an Int’l expert in that field through a workshop presenting Int’l Best practices in this respect .